One of my biggest pet peeves in recruitment (particularly resume screening) is seeing email addresses that are unprofessional. Your email address is a reflection of you. It seems inherently personal because it's something you likely use for corresponding with friends and family, but if you're going to put it on a resume it should reflect your professionalism.

Ideally, your email address should contain your name. If you have a name that is difficult to spell, considering switching out for your initials. For example, I might use "SheilaKnights@host.com" but sometimes Sheila is misspelled, so "Sknights@host.com" might be a better option. You can include numbers but, in my opinion, it's best to omit them as they're easily mis-typed or mis-read by a recruiter. Please avoid using your birth year in your email address - age is something that should not come up until after you've been offered a position. "SheilaKnights1986@host.com" just gives away too much too soon, it looks unprofessional. If you're going to use numbers, try two or three digits and avoid any years; "sheilaknights11@host.com" wouldn't be considered unprofessional.

I know that some people like more anonymity in their email address or are cautious about their online presence. In that case, I've seen some professional email addresses that are related to the field they're in. For example, "HRgeneralist@host.com" or "SheilaHR@host.com". These addresses aren't as cut and dry for professionalism though - I'd recommend brainstorming and asking friends/colleagues for their opinion before registering one.

This tip was considered specifically for ladies but it would apply to anyone who has changed their name: ensure consistency in your application. Your email address should match your display name (that shows up when you send an email) and it should also match what's on your cover letter and resume. I often get the impression that some candidates are confused about what their current name is because they'll switch back and forth. It's confusing, and we log you by your full name so if you're using two then your application will likely be split in half between your two personas. Take some time to proofread and make sure that you're portraying your personal brand accurately.Choosing a host is sometimes difficult as well. I would recommend Gmail, as it is so common that it's unlikely to be mistyped by a recruiter. Try to avoid anything with ".ca" as an ending as most will automatically type ".com" without thinking or verifying. Hotmail and Outlook are other common ones, I would avoid going too out of the box in fear that it might be overlooked (for example, I've caught myself typing "Gmail" when the carrier was "yahoo"). If a recruiter is sifting through a pile of resumes they might miss your funky host and then you would never hear from them. Creating your own domain to host your account isn't a bad idea either, just make sure it's professional and not something easily misspelled.

It's often easier for me to point out what NOT to do than to provide tips on creating a professional email address. Here are some suggestions of what I should definitely not see on your resume:

I could go on and on with these. I honestly wish I didn't have so many examples to go off of (these are all based off true emails I have actually seen on resumes). Take the extra few minutes and create a permanent professional email address that you can use both for your business/professional life and your home life.

Sheila Knights brings three years of human resources experience to her current role as a Resource Management Support Clerk with the Department of National Defence. Formerly residing in the Ottawa Valley, Sheila has been eager to continuously upgrade her skills even with the limited opportunities presented by a rural community. She is currently enrolled in a part-time online Business Administration program through Algonquin College working towards her CHRP certification.

You know how to rock an interview. You’ve read up on the most asked questions, practiced your responses, picked out your most professional outfit, and studied the company’s website. And that will all serve you well—to a point. Because you’re not just trying to land any job; you want the right job for you. The position that’s going to excite, fulfill, and energize you each day. You want to find a workplace where you belong and where you can make an impact using your natural talents and strengths.

When you shift your goal from finding any position to finding the right role for you, you have to start approaching the interview process differently, too. It’s not just about saying the right thing, wearing the perfect outfit, or learning how to spin your weaknesses into strengths.

It’s about being honest about what matters to you.

Whether it’s because of nervousness, external pressure to get a new job, or simply a desire to make the best first impression, many people tend to mold themselves into what they think the company wants. So much so, that they become more focused on making a good impression than on discovering if the role is a good fit. Yes, that approach might make you more likely to secure a job offer, but in a couple of years—or even months—you’re back to feeling unfulfilled and restless, perusing job sites once again.

If that pattern feels all too familiar to you, then it’s time to change how you interview. While there are a variety of ways to figure out if a company’s right for you—there’s one question that will allow you to get incredibly valuable insight fast.

The One Question You Must AskAt the end of an interview, the tables are turned and the hiring manager says, “So, what questions do you have for us?” This is the part where you get to guide the conversation toward what you’re curious about.

Here’s how to use that time to your advantage:

Start by identifying a few of your core values. What’s most important to you in a workplace? Some of the values my clients share with me most often are connection, impact, serving others, autonomy, trust, innovation, leadership, efficiency, personal development, and loyalty, but whatever comes to mind for you is valid!

Out of that list, choose one or two values that mean the most to you—these are your non-negotiables.Now that you’ve gotten clear on your top values, structure your question like this:

Share Your Top Value: Introduce it with something like, “I want to start by telling you that I really value personal development.”

Explain Why You Care About it and Why It’s Valuable in the Workplace: “I’m the kind of person who loves feeling like I’m always growing, learning, and being challenged. When a company encourages me to keep learning and developing myself, either at work or on my personal time, I’m much more engaged, motivated, and supported. I feel like a valuable part of the team. I’ve also noticed that companies that invest in their employees’ personal development have happier, more engaged, and more loyal employees who tend to stick around.”

A Real-Life Success StorySeveral clients have told me that this one simple question has led to more meaningful and connected interviews—and landed them the job.

For example, a client I’ll call Jill recently explained to me how it worked for her:

In my interview last week, I explained my value of efficiency. I told the interviewer that I’ve worked for companies that were very efficient, and I’ve also been in companies that were extremely inefficient, with lots of outdated rules and bureaucratic red tape. Companies that value efficiency, in my experience, make more money, have more engaged and talented employees, promote innovation and creativity, and generally get a whole lot more done. Then I asked what their company's value around efficiency was.

A few days later, the interviewer called to tell me that was the best question he'd ever heard in an interview—after he offered me the job!

Why it Works So WellThis question works for a couple of reasons:

First, you’ll get valuable insight into the company. You’re not going to mesh well with a company that doesn’t share your top values, so it’s better to get the full scoop early on. If the hiring manager says the company actually thrives on competition (rather than collaboration), you’ll be a lot better off learning that in your interview, instead of a month in when you try to ask a teammate for some help.

Second, you’re being true to yourself. In order to get a job that suits you, you have to be honest—with yourself and the hiring manager. If you are just an impressive robot, you could still get the job, but it might not be right for you, and you’ll be wondering why it feels so “off.”

I’ll admit that sharing your core value in an interview won’t always get you a job offer. In fact, being courageously authentic is bound to lead to rejection sometimes. But if you ask me, I’d rather get rejected for being myself than be accepted for pretending to be someone else any day.

It can be scary to lay our exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s so worth it. Because if you’re willing to be yourself and openly share your values, then the right people and the right company will be sure to recognize it and be ecstatic to bring you on board.

About The Author:Kristen Walker, ACC, CPC, is a professionally trained life and career coach for people in their 20s and 30s and the co-founder of Clarity on Fire, a coaching company specifically for Millennials who want to figure out their passion, turn it into a viable career, and create a solid plan to find freedom.

This is a very insightful article from Damian Davilla at Wise Bread for everyone who wonders about how a resume is viewed by recruiters and by ATS systems.

10 Resume Mistakes That Can Cost You a JobHere's how to make the right impression with your resume.

The U.S. job outlook is looking much improved for 2015, and most economic indicators suggest a continued, healthy pace of hiring in the year ahead.If you’re still job hunting, it’s time to polish your resume to ensure it stands out from the competition. While it can be tempting to pull outlandish stunts to convince employers to hire you, we don’t recommend them as a prudent job search strategy. Instead, stick to what works — like having a crisp, error-free CV.

To make your resume really stand out from the competition, here are 10 mistakes that will hurt your job search.1. It Starts With a Career Objective StatementSometime back in high school, one of your instructors forced you to write a resume that included a career objective statement. Since habits die hard, you probably still include a career objective statement on your resume today.Career objective statements are dated and don’t belong in the modern business world. Hiring managers recommend leaving objective statements off your resume because they’re irrelevant for the initial screening process. It’s all about what the company wants, not the other way around. If you make it past the screening process, then you will have a chance to talk about your objective(s).2. It Features Quirky Job TitlesWhile TeaEO may have worked for the founder and CEO of Honest Tea, quirky job titles are often a bad idea.There are three reasons why quirky job titles do more harm than good on your resume.Quirky Job Titles Lack ContextIf you’re a “Marketing Ninja”, what happens when you request or get a promotion? Do you become a “Marketing Jōnin“? Also, are you above a samurai? Did you report to a shogun?Applicant Tracking Systems Search for Specific KeywordsYour “Word Guru” title will leave you out from an “associate editor” query.Great Performances Trump Job TitlesAny customer would still prefer to be taken care of by an effective, yet boringly named “customer service representative,” than by a happy but hopeless “happiness advocate.” Read more...

Reprinted from Employment Spectator - September 4, 2014Update Your Resume Even if Not Searching for a Job Even though you might be working an excellent job with great benefits and wonderful co-workers, you should still revisit your resume. Having an updated resume, no matter your employment situation, is very important. Having a steady job does not mean you won’t be searching for employment in the near future. Layoffs can occur at a moment’s notice, so make sure that your resume is up-to-date.Add New Skills and Talents Even though you might be working an excellent job with great benefits and wonderful co-workers, you should still revisit your resume. Having an updated resume, no matter your employment situation, is very important. Having a steady job does not mean you won’t be searching for employment in the near future. Layoffs can occur at a moment’s notice, so make sure that your resume is up-to-date.Add New Skills and Talents If your resume has not been updated in a couple of years, it might be missing some pertinent information about you. In the span of a couple years you might have acquired some new office skills, talents, or job certifications. All of these are important to have on your resume, even if you are not looking for a new job.Updating a Resume can Boost Confidence Working the same job over and over again can be tiring, but updating your resume can provide you with a boost of confidence. Maybe you have not updated the resume in five years. When you look back at some of the jobs you have worked and the position you hold now, you will be happy with how far you have come when you add your current job.Figure Out Your Strengths When you update your resume you will be able to figure out your strengths. Determine what they are and how happy they make you. Working within your strengths can make you extremely happy at your job and even make your work shine.Get a Better Understanding of you as a Worker By updating your resume, you will be able to get a better understanding of you as a worker. A resume showcases not only your skills, talents, and strengths, but also your passions, values and preferences. If you choose to update your resume even while in a steady job, you will be able to figure out what type of worker you are. You can find out a little bit more about yourself and what values you look for the most in a company.Be Prepared for the Worst Despite being gainfully employed, job status can change anytime of the year, almost without notice. There is no rhyme or reason as to why, but you should always prepare for the worst. You can do this by updating your resume so you do not have to scramble to do so if and when you lose your job. You can recover quickly from a layoff if you have an updated resume ready to send out to potential employers.

What’s the first thing that a reader sees when they view your resume? The heading. What’s the most overlooked thing on a resume? Again, the heading. As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. So, let’s break this down. Your name is your name so not much to discuss. Should it be a larger font and bold text? Yes. Professional Designations: if you have a BS or BA degree or an MBA or Master’s degree in a particular discipline, I recommend not putting those initials after your name. It’s common to see someone who has a law degree include JD after their name – that’s okay. If you have HR Certification – SPHR, PHR, or GPHR, go ahead and include that designation after your name. The address is next. This is where I have seen changes in the traditional practice of including your home address. There are two camps on this. Include it – as tradition holds and the company knows where you live and where you would drive from. Don’t include it – because there are bad guys out there who you wouldn’t want to have your address. I recommend a resume with your address for formal resume presentations – like when you are networking and want to hand someone a copy. It isn’t necessary in situations like applying to blind ads or uploading to a job application page (since those usually require you to type in your home address information anyway). Phone number: I recommend using just one phone number. Please never use your work phone number on your resume. Be sure to set up your voice mail recording with an announcement that includes your name (first name at a minimum) and sound like a professional! You won’t make a good impression on someone if you have a ‘cute’ voicemail message. For example: “You have reached Susan Smith, I’m unable to take your call at this time, please leave a message and I’ll return your call promptly.” It’s quite irritating to call a phone number and not know to whom you’re leaving a message. Email Address: Use an email address that matches the name on your resume. Ladies – if your name has changed and your email doesn’t match, recruiters may not be able to connect the two names. Don’t use a nickname or sports or pet or anything else – just your name. Simple. LinkedIn: I’ve seen many folks now including their LinkedIn profile. That’s okay but not really necessary. I had a situation with a client recently who tried the link on a candidate’s resume and it came up with someone else’s profile which is likely if there are others in their system with the same name (or close). Lastly, Make sure your heading stands out. Center the heading on the page, bold the font for your name, include your city of residence (and your street address if you wish), one phone number, an email that includes your name, and a LinkedIn profile link if you like. Finally, be sure to proof-read the header. It’s where I find more typos than anywhere else on the resume.

The Detroit area has recovered from the recession of 2009 to 2012 and the job market has picked up. We’ve gone from a large number of people looking for work to a large number of companies looking for talent. Growth amongst a variety of industries is strong. Such exciting positive indicators for Detroit and Michigan!

It’s also a good indicator, in my very unscientific observation, to see many of these job openings are for newly created positions. The auto suppliers in the Detroit area certainly lead the parade by hiring back lots of positions that were reduced during the slump. Banking, service businesses, and other manufacturers are growing as well.

In HR, the types of positions companies are hiring for has mostly stayed the same, but in a subtle way, are very different. The typical job title “HR Generalist” is seen less often, being replaced by wide array of specialist positions. For example, the “HR Business Partner” is quite popular these days. This change correlates with the trend companies have taken to a centralized “Centers of Excellence” concept for their HR department. That’s where the specialty functions of HR now reside. As this HR structure gains popularity, the demand for certain specialists has risen dramatically. In particular, compensation specialists are in extremely high demand.

As companies have expanded their footprint domestically and globally, and as HR has fine-tuned their metrics, an expectation exists that HR plays a key role in controlling costs. HR also takes on the corporate-wide responsibility of leveling the playing field for employee salaries across multiple functions and locations. Hiring and retaining top talent is imperative and to be successful, companies must align their total rewards programs to be both competitive in the market, and aligned with the business strategy. Comp specialists facilitate critical linkages between HR and the corporate strategy. The need for corporate compensation specialists has been strong over the last ten years but never greater than now. Colleges have strong HR programs but they don’t produce comp specialists. Add to that, the HR personality trait sways heavily to the people side, less so to the analytics required in compensation.

In an attempt to solve this problem, companies might have to take a step back and begin to develop internal talent in these specialty areas. Could an HR generalist who has analytical aptitude make the transition to compensation? Could a strong financial analyst be worked into HR to learn strategy? Given the current supply and demand imbalance for compensation specialists, I’d encourage companies to remain open to new ways of developing their compensation pipeline. And, to anyone interested in launching a career in HR, give compensation some thought.